Category Archives: Story News

After having been kicked off the family ranch by his father, Marc has made a new home for himself as the foreman of the Double R Ranch. His fellow ranch hands are his family, but he’s still not complete without Casey, his counterpart at the neighboring Del Rio Ranch. In the middle of a feud with his one-time best friend, Marc struggles to understand why Casey would rather take a swing at him than talk to him. He wants to put the past behind them and rebuild what they once had and make their relationship stronger than ever, but Casey is having none of it.

Casey has his own demons to deal with, and Marc serves as a reminder to things he’d rather forget. Casey can’t see beyond the past and continues to make mistakes that put both him and Marc in harms way. After one close call too many, Casey must decide whether his past is more important than his future, or if he can live with Marc walking out of his life—possibly forever.

I’m going to try to start updating my blog once a week with updates on where I currently stand with stories. Some good news, I finished my novel Barbed Wire Cowboy and have submitted it to Dreamspinner Press for consideration. Curious as to what it’s about? Well, here’s a bit of a description for you.

After having been kicked off the family ranch by his father, Marc has made a new home for himself as the foreman of the Double R Ranch. His fellow ranch hands are his family, but he’s still not complete without Casey, his counterpart at the neighboring Del Rio Ranch. In the middle of a feud with his one-time best friend, Marc struggles to understand why Casey would rather take a swing at him than talk to him. He wants to put the past behind them and rebuild what they once had and make their relationship stronger than ever, but Casey is having none of it.

Casey has his own demons to deal with, and Marc serves as a reminder of things he’d rather forget. Casey can’t see beyond the past and continues to make mistakes that put both him and Marc in harms way. After one close call too many, Casey must decide whether his past is more important than his future, or if he can live with Marc walking out of his life—possibly forever.

Now that Barbed Wire Cowboy is finished and has been submitted, I’m turning my attention to some of my other stories. I have some ideas for new stories, but while I let those percolate, and wait for a decision on Barbed Wire Cowboy, I’m working on expanding and/or revising some of my current stories that I hope to release by the end of the year. So which stories am I starting with?

Reece’s Choice

The original of Reece’s Choice was just over 25,000 words. I love this story, but it could definitely be improved. I’m hoping to add at least 15,000 words in new content, possibly even going so far as to double the length.

When confronted with his family’s bigotry, Reece is faced with the first of many choices. He can continue to tolerate the caustic atmosphere or he can walk away and finally focus on making himself happy. His cousin’s friend Dave unintentionally becomes the catalyst that forces Reece to make a choice. He can only hope it’s the right one.

Joined by Blood

The original of Joined by Blood is already novel length. I am about halfway through the revision on Joined by Blood, and rather than adding much in the way of content, I am working on refining what is already there.

Damian’s belief system has been turned upside down: his sister isn’t who he thought she was, and vampires really do exist. Luckily with so many obstacles to overcome and so many choices to be made, he does not not have to navigate this new landscape alone. Vik, prince of his people, has set his eye and his heart on Damian. And what Vik wants…

***COMING SOON***

Damian’s world has been turned upside down: his sister isn’t who he thought she was, and vampires really do exist. Luckily, with so many obstacles to overcome and so many choices to be made, he doesn’t have to navigate this new landscape alone. Vik, the prince of his clan, has set his eye and his heart on Damian. Vik isn’t the only one who has him in his sights. Can Vik, with the help of his long time friend Dante, keep Damian safe? Or will distrust and jealousy send Damian right into the clutches of those who wish him dead?

BLURB

Maki waited years to discover what dragon spirit the fates gifted him with. He anticipated his first flight, his parents at his side, as he launched himself into the sky for the first time. Best of all, one day he’d find his mate and spend the rest of his life with someone by his side. Unfortunately for him, things didn’t go exactly as he’d always planned.

EXCERPT

Cyan watched the two reptilian bodies soaring through the sky high above him, envy settling deep in his gut. The longer he watched, the more he resented the hand that fate had cursed him with. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried to overcome it, he had. For the last nine years of his life he had tried to embrace who and what he was but he still struggled with it daily. He would never have what the two dragons high above him had, would never experience the unadulterated joy of dancing in the sky with his mate. He had no mate and according to the history and legends of his clan, he never would. It was high time he accepted it and quit wishing for something that could never be.

He tore his gaze away from the pair and shoved off the rock that had been digging into his ass for the last hour. He couldn’t watch them any longer; it was too painful knowing that he would never know the love of a mate. Cyan strode over to the edge of the lake and reached down to scoop up a handful of pebbles. He picked out one and studied its smooth surface for a minute, before tossing it into the calm water, watching as it disappeared into the murky depths.

If only he could disappear as easily.

It wasn’t the first time he had contemplated just walking into the water and letting it claim him, but it wouldn’t do any good. It was nearly impossible for him to drown. It was thanks to a couple of clan members that he’d learned that little tidbit. He’d just returned to the clan’s lands after being granted release from the youth home. He’d been lonely and unaccustomed to living on his own, but he’d thought he was managing quite well. Until hands had latched onto him and jerked him from his sleep.

He’d fought to free himself, to no avail. His hands and feet had been bound before he was carried from his home and thrown into the lake. It was then that he learned that while Red’s had an affinity for fire, Blue’s had an affinity too, but with water. Instead of closing over his head and flowing into his lungs, the water had cradled him, keeping his head above water until he’d managed to break free of his bonds. Agonizing pain swamped him at the memory and he wished, not for the first time, that his dragon had never been awakened. He wanted to go back to the time before his true nature had been revealed to those around him, where he had more friends than he could count and the complete support and love of his family. The things he would still have if it hadn’t been for his dragon’s emergence into the world. Most of his kind met their first transformation with anticipation and he’d been the same until it had finally happened. Just the memory of the day his world had come crashing down around him, back when he’d still been called Maki, sent a fresh wave of pain shooting through him, nearly bringing him to his knees.

So, I’ve seriously been thinking about trying to expand some of my short stories and publishing them. Maybe even extending the ending points to really make it worth it for my readers to buy. Here’s where my question is, out of the following Short Stories, which story would you like to see expanded and put into possible publication:

As a centuries old vampire, Jeremiah Blackfoot is used to living a solitary existence. When he meets the sickly Cale, Jeremiah has to come to grips with the possibility that maybe there is someone out there for him. The biggest holdback for Jeremiah, Cale is human. Jeremiah has watched many lovers wither and die, and has since stayed far away from romantic entanglements. Can Cale and Jeremiah overcome the odds, or is there no hope of bridging the mortal chasm between them.

So, there you have it, the choices of the possible stories to expand and ATTEMPT to publish. Would love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment. If you haven’t read the above stories, feel free to read and leave me a review as well as a comment letting me know your pick!